Memorise faster: the science of learning
A lot to remember?
Feeling like it’s not sticking?
Let me share a little secret…
There’s a new science to learning.
You will be shocked at how much time you can save.
Start with this article on the best way to memorise, or go deeper by browsing my recommended memory books and resources, best blog articles and podcast episodes below.
Ready to supercharge your learning – for good?
BTW… if you ever need more personalised guidance with learning for your exams, click here to learn more about my 1:1 study coaching. I’d be glad to help.
Featured Articles
Spaced Repetition Secrets: Using Spaced Learning To SUPERCHARGE Your Grades
Spaced repetition (or as it's more commonly known to memory psychologists, "spaced learning") is one of the most powerful and flexible of all memory strategies. If you have knowledge to learn for your course, I would consider spaced learning to be a mandatory...
What is chunking and how to use it to boost memory
For most of us, our memories have their limits! Chunking helps you overcome the natural limitations of your memory, and is therefore a very powerful trick for helping you to learn information and get it into memory. Read on to discover what chunking is, and to explore...
Ebbinghaus’ forgetting curve explained: the importance of spaced learning for memory
Sure as the mountains wear down, we all forget what we once knew. Though we generally forget quite a bit faster than mountains wearing down! The famous “Ebbinghaus forgetting curve” measures just how fast we forget. I’m going explain what Ebbinghaus’ curve is, and...
BEST memorisation techniques for exams: the secret science of how to remember what you study
Scientists have reached broad agreement that there is one memorisation technique for exams and tests that, above all others, that will solve the age-old question of how to remember what you study… as few as 7% of college-level students are using this technique as their main revision strategy.
More Articles
How To Study ULTRA-Effectively For Exams: 37 Proven Strategies For 2021
It’s official: scientists have figured out the secrets for how to study effectively for exams. Or at least, a darn sight more effectively than you’d be doing without using these strategies. Put them to work for you, and you can look forward to: Studying smarter, not...
Spaced Repetition Secrets: Using Spaced Learning To SUPERCHARGE Your Grades
Spaced repetition (or as it's more commonly known to memory psychologists, "spaced learning") is one of the most powerful and flexible of all memory strategies. If you have knowledge to learn for your course, I would consider spaced learning to be a mandatory...
Interleaved practice 101: what really is interleaving and how to REALLY use it in teaching and learning
Interleaving / interleaved practice is a powerful teaching & learning tool to build mastery of problems or skills faster. What is interleaving? Interleaving practice vs blocking practice The easiest way to explain interleaving is to first explain what interleaving...
What is retrieval practice in psychology: definition and strategies
Retrieval practice is, in my view, the single most powerful tool to build lasting knowledge in teaching and learning (I rate spaced learning as a close second). A curious peculiarity of our memory is that things are impressed better by active than by passive...
51 PROVEN Study Tips For Students (That Work Like A Charm In 2021)
These are the BEST exam study tips to help students build effective study skills. They’re simple, fast, and actionable, and based on the latest science. I'm a memory psychologist and study productivity expert, and have taught thousands of students how to study more...
7 Magical Holiday Study Tips For 2020
Got study plans this Christmas? You’re not alone. Whether you’re writing coursework, reading for a dissertation, or revising for exams, you and millions of other students around the world are preparing to get a bit of work done this holiday season. Getting the balance...
![Maximising Concentration For Students: with “Attention Professor” Stefan Van Der Stigchel [PODCAST]](https://i1.wp.com/examstudyexpert.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Stefan-van-der-Stigchel-sq.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
Maximising Concentration For Students: with “Attention Professor” Stefan Van Der Stigchel [PODCAST]
The science of maximum concentration: how to focus faster, harder and for longerHow to concentrate on your studies? I’m going to be talking to one of the world’s leading authorities on how to manage your attention, and focus on what really matters to you, Professor...
Science of Learning: 6 Strategies With Dr Yana Weinstein-Jones [PODCAST]
Learn faster and remember more for better grades in less time: Six science-based strategies for success. Welcome to "Science Of Learning" season on the Exam Study Expert podcast! Over the next few weeks, we'll be maximising YOUR memory - breaking down the exact...
Retrieval Practice: The Ultimate Guide [PODCAST]
I'm breaking down exactly how to unleash the immense power of this must-know memory strategyThe most important thing I can teach you is to use retrieval practice a lot and to use it well. So that's what I'm doing today: sit back, we're going deeper than ever before...
Secret of Spaced Learning – with Dr Carolina Kuepper-Tetzel [PODCAST]
We know from a massive body of research that spaced practice works But putting it into practice can be hard: cognitive psychologist and spacing researcher Dr Carolina Kuepper-Tetzel joins us to share how to use this powerful learning strategyCan you remember what you...
Visual Learning & Dual Coding – With Oliver Caviglioli [PODCAST]
How visualising information can help you learn: the real science of "visual learning" and how to use it to supercharge learning There’s no such thing as a “visual learner”. The idea that some of us are “visual learners” and learn best through imagery is a myth, and...
Interleaving & Desirable Difficulty – with Dr Veronica Yan [PODCAST]
Learn how this one neat trick can help you study math(s) smarter. + the science of actually APPLYING effective ways of studying. What is interleaving? Why is it so powerful for helping you learn faster and remember more? How can you use it? Listen in today, and all...
How To Focus – With James Lang [PODCAST]
The science of concentration: why focus is hard and what you can do about it. Wish you could concentrate harder or for longer?James Lang’s book Distracted took the world of education by storm: he’s here to share his top tips on overcoming distraction and maximising...
Brain Chemistry of Memory, Stress & Attention – with Ginny Smith [PODCAST]
A fascinating guide to what's going on in your brain at a molecular level. Learn how to take better care of it for better memory, more focus and less stress. The chemistry of your brain is everything to how you think, learn and focus. You might have heard of some of...
What’s On My Bookshelf: Top 5 Juiciest Gems (Podcast)
There's some incredible wisdom to be found on my bookshelf. Listen to some of the BEST tips and tricks to be found in five of my most-loved books about studying and learning.There's some incredible wisdom to be found on my bookshelf. Today, I pick out some of the BEST...
Mnemonics, memory magic, and the art of getting things done
Episode 11 of the Exam Study Expert podcast: "Mnemonics, memory magic, and the art of getting things done with Dr Adam Putnam". Listen now The Exam Study Expert podcast is available on all good podcast platforms, including: If you have an Apple iPhone or iPad, we're...
Useful tools
- Popular flashcards apps for learning: Anki, Brainscape, Quizlet.
- Buy physical paper flashcards: I was weirdly excited to see Amazon still stocks the exact flashcard make that I used to buy as a student! I was a bit picky – you want a good quality of paper, the right size, and a spine that’s not so bulky that it’s uncomfortable to write on the back of a card when it’s flipped over (if you’re right handed, your hand is resting right over the spine at that point). Available in packs of five. Only available in the UK unfortunately – elsewhere, try these.
Recommended books
- Make It Stick: go deeper on the science of learning – this is a very readable book, almost like a novel. Really excellent.
- Understanding How We Learn: a superb visual primer on the science of learning – my copy is never far from my desk and is well-thumbed!
As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. I make these recommendations based on personal experience and because I think they are genuinely helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I receive.
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